Life Savers

March is the month the Del Mar Lifeguards recruit student lifeguards for seasonal part-time and possibly full-time employment. The job: focus on the safety of the more than 3,000,000 (!) yearly beach visitors. In 2025, busy lifeguards made more than 1,100 rescues and almost 30,000 preventative actions—with 0 drownings.  They also aided in 648 various medical issues not counting tending to the 635 victims of nasty stingray tail barb stings. Part-time student lifeguard Atom Keocherian, 18, knows the responsibilities well. The high school senior has been in the job for close to a year and went through the intense training: swift water techniques, use of rescue tools, Scuba diving, free diving, CPR, First-Aid, land based cliff rescues, and how to answer a myriad of questions from the public on a wide range of issues and to always keep eyes on the ocean.

Tryout date is Saturday, March 21, at 8 AM at Lifeguard Headquarters for applicants who will be at least 16 years old by June 1. The initial tryout is a 200 meter(m)-800m-200m Run-Swim-Run followed by an 800m paddle board race and capped off with an 800m run. Atom advises interested people take advantage of volunteer workouts earlier in March to meet people and learn the territory. Applicants must know how to run on sand, avoiding hazards, and swim out and back to the buoy, very different than a pool. Candidates who successfully navigate the tryout session will be invited to the interview process. The new hires, rookies, then work with team support. Atom reports that it has taught him how to be adaptable, to learn from mistakes, discipline, independence, and the importance of an efficient department as he works his 110 hours, Fridays 5:30-9:00 PM and Saturdays and Sundays. Student lifeguarding offers training for a potential career.

For specific information visit: governmentjobs.com/careers/delmarca/jobs/newprint/5214293